Disposable Medical Linen Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025

DISPOSABLE MEDICAL LINEN MARKET SIZE WILL REACH REVENUES OF OVER $5 BILLION BY 2025

 This industry research report covers global disposable medical linen market size and growth, share, trends, drivers, and competitive landscape. The study includes insights by product, end-user, distribution, and geography 

MARKET DYNAMICS

The global disposable medical linen market is majorly driven by the growing demand for safety and hygiene standards to prevent the risk of cross-contamination and infections in healthcare settings. Hospitals, diagnostic centers, and standalone clinics are the major end-users of disposable medical linens. The demand is growing from countries such as China, Japan, and India as these countries are witnessing a boom in commercial healthcare settings and the increasing shift in consumer behavior toward personal hygiene.

Besides, the growing number of surgical procedures is fueling the market growth. However, one of the main factors driving the demand growth for the disposable medical linen industry is the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has been designated a global pandemic by the WHO. While maintaining personal hygiene is recommended as the best remedy to prevent the spread of the virus, healthcare practitioners are insisting on the use of disposable medical linens, which has significantly increased the demand for disposable products across the globe.

 Snippets

• The surgical & hygiene segment is likely to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is on account of increasing incidences of surgical site infections.
• The hospital segment is expected to witness an incremental growth of over $720 million by 2025. This is due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, which has increased the patient footfall to hospitals.
• The US disposable medical linen market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 7% during the forecast period. The growth is because of the growing demand for advanced surgical procedures and the increasing aging populations.
• The disposable medical market in China is likely to cross over $390 million by 2025. The market growth is on account of the rising patient population, coupled with favorable healthcare infrastructure.

The disposable medical linen market share is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6% during the period 2019–2025.

DISPOSABLE MEDICAL LINEN MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report includes a detailed segmentation by product, end-user, distribution, and geography.

INSIGHTS BY PRODUCT

The bed linen segment is expected to reach a revenue value of over $2 billion by 2025. The sale of bed linen in the US witnessed a spike of 101% in March 2020. As the reusability of blankets in hospitals increases laundry expenditures, the trend of opting for disposable medical blankets is growing. The growing number of hospital admissions has significantly increased the application of healthcare-associated accessories, especially disposable medical linen. Moreover, the hospital acquired infections (HAI), and low direct cross-contamination possibilities is another factor driving the application of medical linens.

The growing awareness of hygiene has driven the demand as they are especially for the protection and prevention of pathogens. The increase in the number of surgical procedures is likely to increase the adoption of medical linen across the world. According to the WHO, 143 million surgical procedures are carried out annually to save lives and prevent disability. The market for hypoallergenic and eco-safe lightweight in hospitals and nursing homes speeds up the global sales of lightweight, disposable medical linens. The use of disposable gowns has provided significant work efficiency to operators in hospitals along with cost efficiency, thereby driving the demand. 

INSIGHTS BY END-USER

In 2019, the disposable hospital linen market dominated with a share of over 53%. Hospitals are one of the prime end-users of disposable medical linen. There has been a tremendous increase in the demand for disposable hospital bed sheets around the globe. This trend is likely to prevail during the forecast period, thereby providing significant growth opportunities for vendors. Moreover, hospital linens increase the risk of cross-contamination and infections; hence the disposable hospital linen market size is expected to increase drastically in the coming years.

The increase in the patient population in hospitals provides immense growth prospects for the vendors. The outbreak of the coronavirus has resulted in between 10 million and 34 million hospital visits. Approximately one-fifth of these patients requiring intensive treatment, thereby increasing the demand for hospital beds and bedsheets and pillow covers. The spread of the virus across the country has resulted in heightened sales of disposable medical linens.

Diagnostic centers are the second-largest end-user of the disposable healthcare linen market. To maintain hygiene standards in these centers is one of the key challenges. Although the implementation of the point-of-care alcohol-based handrub practice has helped to overcome several infections, the use of disposable bed linen can go a long way in increasing hygiene and cleanliness in diagnostic centers. The growth in the number of diagnostic centers is likely to boost the demand for bed linens and disposable bedsheets and pillow covers.

INSIGHTS BY DISTRIBUTION  

Disposable medical linens are primarily sold via wholesale and retail distribution channels. The channels include dealers, distributors, other retail stores, and drug stores worldwide. They are also available on e-commerce portals and online direct-to-consumer stores. Over 75% of disposable medical linens are manufactured as per the demand. Disposable bed sheets manufacturers ensure that manufacturing facilities are legitimate and follow low-cost manufacturing practices to produce price-competitive products. The products are then exported to several regions where they are sold via several distribution channels.

Vendors in countries such as the US primarily sell their finished products drug stores, specialty stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and the internet. A majority of sales are targeted at institutional buyers such as hospitals and medical institutions. The increasing number of hospitals is growing, especially after the outbreak of COVID-19, which is increasing the demand for medical linen. The growth in online platforms is set to increase by over 20% YOY during the forecast period. The primary reason is that online stores offer more options to choose from than retail stores. Several consumers seek to buy products online because of ease-of-accessibility and convenience.

INSIGHTS BY GEOGRAPHY

The growth in North America is mainly attributed to the increasing incidence of several acute and chronic diseases. The surge in the volume of surgeries, the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure, and the increased awareness of safety and hygiene practices have increased the demand for disposable linens.

The market in this region is characterized by high penetration of advanced treatment solutions for chronic and acute diseases. Also, with the favorable government financial support for several surgical procedures, resulting in higher uptake of surgeries and demand for disposable medical linen.

A growing number of ailments, pandemics, and epidemics, coupled with the increase in surgical procedures, is likely to contribute to the high adoption of disposable medical linens. However, supportive policy guidelines to prevent infections or complications can improve a gamechanger for the market.

The Asia Pacific market is the third-largest market, followed by North America and Europe. The increasing middle-class population in APAC is driving the market growth in the region. China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India are the leading revenue-generating region in the market.

INSIGHTS BY VENDORS

The global disposable medical linen market is fragmented in nature due to the presence of local and global market players. Medline and Haines are the key leading vendors in the market. The competition is based in terms of features such as quality, quantity, innovation, and price. The rapidly changing technological environment could adversely affect vendors as customers expect continual innovations and extra emphasis on hygiene and clean products.

Hospital linen bedsheet manufacturers can be forced to alter and refine their unique value proposition to achieve a strong market presence during the forecast period. The market competition is expected to intensify further with an increase in product/service extensions, innovations, and M&As. Global players can grow inorganically by acquiring regional or local players in the future. Further, companies with better technical and financial resources can develop innovative products with respect to material use and ease of wearing.

The disposable medical linen market report includes revenue and forecast insights for the following segments:

 Segmentation by Product  

• Bed Linen
• Surgical & Hygiene Linen
• Liveries
• Others 

Segmentation by End-user  

• Hospitals
• Diagnostic Centers
• Nursing Care Facilities
• Standalone Clinics 

Segmentation by Distribution 

• Wholesale
• Retail
• Online 

Segmentation by Geography

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • India
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Iran

 Key Questions Answered: 

1. What is the growth forecast of the global disposable medical linen market size?
2. What are the factors impacting the global hospital linen market size and growth?
3. What are the drivers, trends, and restraints in the market?
4. Who are the leading key players, and what are their strategies to gain market shares?
5. What is the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the market?